How do Implants Work

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Explaining Implants

Support

Dental implants typically are used to support a range of restorations such as crowns, bridges and dentures.

There is a wide variety of type of implants now available that are used to achieve different goals. But the one thing they all have in common is that they are used to anchor the restoration so that the artificial teeth can do its job in the correct manner. Front teeth are typically used for cutting food and aesthetics. Back teeth are used primarily for chewing and grinding down the food.

The resulting combination of dental implant and restoration will provide the adequate support necessary in the location of the missing tooth or teeth.

Dental implants also prevent the negative effects of missing teeth. 

 Osseointegration

The shape of a dental implant is similar to that of a screw with threading around it. This thread not only facilitates the insertion of the implant into the right location, but it is also used to encourage bone growth into the implant thus “locking” the implant into the jawbone.

This process is called Osseointegration. It usually takes anything from 3 to 6 months to occur properly.

Osseointegration allows for a structural and functional connection between the bone and the implant. There is no soft tissue formation at the interface between bone cells and the titanium of the implant. The osseous tissue (osteoblasts and supporting connective tissue) of bone simply migrates into the anatomy of the dental implant. Thus, forming a direct connection of bone with titanium and with no other type of tissue in between including scar tissue.

This process of a living tissue connection with an inert alloplastic material has revolutionized medical science.

Once the dental implant has firmly embedded into the bone, it can be used to support a number of restorative options such as crowns, bridges and dentures.

Osteointegration anchors the implant “root” to the bone. Fixing it in place.

Bone Retention

As a direct result of being in the jawbone, the dental implant also stimulates and maintains the bone around the implant. This is just as it would with natural roots in the bone. This is an important benefit of implants.

When teeth are lost, the bone ends up losing its function and purpose. The gradual bone loss in the jaws can give an aged appearance as the jaws become thinner.

This is one of the main reasons why dentures become loose over time. The loss of teeth means that the bone no longer has any purpose. For this reason, we usually recommend that if you are going to have a tooth extracted that you consider its replacement with an implant sooner rather than later to prevent this type of bone loss.

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Before and After photos